April 17 The main activity of the day is watching “Newton’s Dark Secrets.” Before watching the film:
Ask students what they know about Sir Isaac Newton. List student answers on the board. Where and when did he live? What did he do? What is he most known for?
Organize students into three groups. As they watch, have each group take notes on one of the following topics: Newton's key scientific and mathematical discoveries, his religious journey, and his work in alchemy.
After watching the film:
Have students who took notes on the same topic meet and present their notes. Ask the following questions as different teams share their notes: What were some of Newton's mathematical and scientific contributions? Which are important in the world today? What role did religion play in his life? Why was he interested in alchemy?
Lead a discussion about Newton's interest in alchemy. What first attracted Newton to alchemy? What was he looking for? Why might Newton have felt the need to keep his alchemical work a secret? Why did he eventually abandon alchemy? How does alchemy compare to today's chemistry?
Have students write a one page response on the film, which incorporates their thoughts about Newton's key scientific and mathematical discoveries, his religious journey, and his work in alchemy, due MONDAY.
April 18 The main activity is watching “Infinite Secrets: The Genius of Archimedes.” Have students write a one page response (due MONDAY) on the following topic:
An anonymous collector paid $2 million for Archimedes' Palimpsest (a palimpsest is a manuscript that has been written on more than once). Discuss with students what makes the book so valuable. How was it created? How was it analyzed when first found in 1906? How is it being analyzed today? What was the effect of losing the manuscript for so long?
April 15
April 16
April 17
The main activity of the day is watching “Newton’s Dark Secrets.”
Before watching the film:
- Ask students what they know about Sir Isaac Newton. List student answers on the board. Where and when did he live? What did he do? What is he most known for?
- Organize students into three groups. As they watch, have each group take notes on one of the following topics: Newton's key scientific and mathematical discoveries, his religious journey, and his work in alchemy.
After watching the film:- Have students who took notes on the same topic meet and present their notes. Ask the following questions as different teams share their notes: What were some of Newton's mathematical and scientific contributions? Which are important in the world today? What role did religion play in his life? Why was he interested in alchemy?
- Lead a discussion about Newton's interest in alchemy. What first attracted Newton to alchemy? What was he looking for? Why might Newton have felt the need to keep his alchemical work a secret? Why did he eventually abandon alchemy? How does alchemy compare to today's chemistry?
Have students write a one page response on the film, which incorporates their thoughts about Newton's key scientific and mathematical discoveries, his religious journey, and his work in alchemy, due MONDAY.April 18
The main activity is watching “Infinite Secrets: The Genius of Archimedes.”
Have students write a one page response (due MONDAY) on the following topic: